The Patrick's greet the first to arrive (Nick, Phyllis and Noah) at the Carlton manor's front door. Dressed obediently in 'bright' colours, they heard that Billy planned the whole thing. With Victor doing well, the Newman's will never be able to thank Traci enough for the 'donation'. The Connelly's are still at the cemetery - burying Colleen beside Brad. Summer? She's doing better every day. As Phyllis goes to help Murphy arrange chairs, Kay gives Nick a comforting hug - so sorry about his and Sharon's baby.
On the CL's patio, Sharon assures Doris that she has no urge to do anything 'self destructive' - Faith's given her the gift of strength. If only she could spare Nick - but he has Phyllis. Grief over Cassie brought them back together - no regrets - but Sharon now accepts that she and Nick aren't meant to be together.
When Cane lets Neil and Devon in, they immediately notice that Lily's not looking so hot. It's just a hot flash, Lily assures. But no - Cane's calling the doctor.
Now at the Carlton home, Billy (with Mac) thanks Murphy for doing a great job (while, inside, Kay fusses over Traci). Jack has a card from Maime (which Ashley can't possibly hear without crying again) - and there's flowers from mother - how typical. But it's best Dina stay on her cruise (it's not like she understood the bond Traci and Colleen shared - amazing that daughters could become such great Mom's - after the childhood they had). Dad's example gets the credit - thank God he didn't live to suffer through this (but too bad he never got to meet Faith ~hug~)
When Mac hesitates upon opening the front door, Chloe (with a large box of goodies from Jill) wonders if she needs a secret password or sumthin'. Jill's covering for Neil at CI. And all who live with her (says Chloe) are grateful to Kay for hiring her. No, Billy doesn't 'mind' if Chloe stays - but ...um ... she wasn't close to Colleen. True, but Chloe recalls Colleen standing up as her Maid of Honour - she was a class act.
Nikki and Vikki are concerned when the doctor ups Victor's anti rejection drug - but are reassured that overall, he's pleased with his progress. Nikki voices what she knows to be on Victor's mind (the Abbott's saying good bye to Colleen).
As the Winter's men and Cane hover, the doctor disappoints Lily - she can't risk going out. Lily objects to Neil going over to explain what he's sure Colleen's family will understand. It's not the same - Colleen was ALWAYS there for me, Lily pouts.
As Billy and Mac admire a large framed photo of Colleen on display, Kay encourages Chloe - can't be easy for her to be there (as they both watch Mac pawing Billy). As Murphy comes along, the threesome chat about Delia - too bad she'll never know her cousin Colleen. Billy comes along to debunk that - she'll hear all his stories.
Kevin thanks Traci for giving him time to say good bye - and promises to live up to Colleen's expectations. She was an inspiration to us, Jana chimes in. Daniel gives Traci a sketch of Colleen (that reduces her to tears). We'll cherish this ~hug~ and off it goes to be added to the display. And when Ashley comes along to admire the sketch, Traci wonders if Colleen knows how many people loved her - too bad Adrian couldn't get away ~hug~
Ready to leave CL's, Sharon's off to the cabin - to spread Faith's ashes (without Nick - who has a lot of people depending on him). I love you - trust me, she says in parting (to the mother who obviously feels Nick should be included).
Abby hugs Nick - as she talks about feeling left behind (with her Dad and sister in heaven). They'll leave you messages, Phyllis comforts. Nick steps aside to take a call from Doris (who offers condolences and the info that Sharon's off to the Abbott cabin - alone - with the ashes). I thought you should know.
Cane and the sulking Lily are now alone at home. Taking her meds, Lily continues to whine about not being able to attend Colleen's funeral. 'Hating' this, Lily wants to be alone (and gets her wish).
Arriving at Colleen's, the first person Neil updates on Lily's forced absence is Daniel. Meanwhile, Phyllis encourages Nick to go be with Sharon - it was your baby too. The Abbott's know you're grateful - she'll stay and represent the family. Noah's about to leave with Nick (but is needed to console Abby). Go, Phyllis insists with a supportive hug.
At Victor's bedside, Nikki checks her watch - the service should start any minute. Victor wonders how they'll react to 'what he did'. It came from the heart - Nikki's sure the Abbott's will take it well.
As all take seats outside, Phyllis asks Daniel where Amber is. She wasn't close to Colleen, he responds curtly. Billy addresses the crowd - Colleen wasn't about tears - she was about joy - and so, we're doing this her way - with smiles and laughter. Traci hugs Billy - then steps up to share the story of how - at this very house - she delivered Colleen - into Brad's waiting arms (and how she's now had to do that again). She talks about the other recipients of Colleen's donated organs - a 16 year old girl - a father who'll see his children for the first time. In tears, Traci asks if anyone has stories they'd like to share. Vikki wastes no time piping up - she has a letter from her father she'd like to read aloud.
With all turned in their seats towards Vikki, Billy stands to snarl - this isn't about Victor (who already got more than he deserved). But Traci overrides - read the letter.
As Victor's breathing becomes labored Nikki reassures - there's a strong Abbott heart beating inside you - after all the years of feuds. Victor worries the Abbott's will be reminded of Colleen's death every time they see him. It wasn't just Traci's decision, Nikki disagrees - Jack had a say too. If the situation had been reversed, could WE have been that generous? Nikki has to wonder.
Now at the front, Vikki reads her father's letter - our family joins with yours in mourning - we share your sorrow - but are filled with gratitude - you found the compassion to spare our family (and many others) the same pain - we are her living legacy. She will never be forgotten. Every time I hold my newborn baby I will think of Colleen (Ashley's effected by this one). Blah blah blah, ending with 'I will hold her forever in my heart'. Jack turns to give Billy (who still looks angry) a 'See? It's not so bad' look.
Cane brings Lily something to cheer her up - a visitor - Humphrey (whom he's scrubbed from head to toe). And he has one more thing that'll make her feel better.
JT shares the time when he and Colleen were dating - everyone worried about what poor Colleen had gotten herself into - but, turned out, HE was the one in over his head - having no idea how she'd change his life (the only one not enjoying JT's spiel? His wife).
Jack entertains the crowd with a story about when Colleen tried to coax him into exercising - Zumba - latin dancing. And to cackles of 'show us your moves!', Jack's lame dance moves invoke well deserved guffaws from all.
When Ashley stands to talk of how much the young Abby loved her sister, Colleen, Traci gets up to put her sobbing sister (and everyone else) out of her misery - with a hug. Abby then stands to say a few words - vowing to be as good a sister (to the new baby) as Colleen was to her.
After a private word with Traci, Neil stands to address the crowd (and via Devon's phone, Cane and Lily listen in from home as he entertains the crowd with tales of the BFF's; Colleen and Lily). He speaks of how supportive Colleen's been through Lily's cancer - and that the best medicine is sometimes gossip and ice cream. They shopped for wigs - chartreuse in colour (all chuckle). In child-like fashion, Lily folds herself into Cane's lap as they listen. Now done, Neil kisses his fingertips - then touches Colleen's portrait. And as Traci thanks Neil - Lily whispers 'thank you'.
Vikki and Abby praise one another on their respective words to the crowd. And when Abby worries about losing her Dad too, Vikki assures Victor's doing well - he'll take good care of your sister's heart.
Victor doesn't want Nikki to get the doctor - it's just a dizzy spell. He then asks what's been published in the paper's about him - and insists on being brought a newspaper. But as Nikki walks the few steps to get it, Victor goes into convulsions. Oh my God! Victor! she gasps - then runs to his side. We need a doctor! she shouts into the hallway.
While Mac thinks Victor wrote an amazing letter, JT thinks it amazing that Traci let Vikki read it. He wouldn't blame Traci if she told Vikki to shove it. Everyone knows Victor was out to destroy Colleen - and now he's alive because she's not. Turning, JT finds himself face to face with a glaring Vikki (who turns and marches off without saying a word).
After Kay says a few words to the mourners, Billy wonders if anyone else would like to say anything (and doesn't look too thrilled when Kevin stands up). Now at the front, Kevin thinks Victor was right - about Colleen giving people a second chance at life - like she did for him - she didn't write people off (even when they deserved it) - and Kevin's tremendously grateful (while Mrs Fisher looks tremendously proud).
As the mourners mingle and mill about, JT cautiously approaches Vikki to discuss what she overheard. It's OK, Vikki assures - knowing he loved Colleen. JT realizes he shouldn't have said what he did. Vikki claims Victor wasn't trying to destroy Colleen. He went to the lake to save her life. And she saved HIS, JT concludes. Vikki knows it's tragic and unfair - but she can't be sorry her father's alive. He's not an easy man to love - but Vikki does - and right now he's fighting for his life).
Vikki has no idea how accurate her words are. The doctor and staff work to hold the convulsing Victor down - with orders barked (and questions from a horrified Nikki) Is he rejecting the heart!?
Back at the service, Mac hands out red balloons, as Billy talks about an art gallery Colleen took him too - he saw splattered paint - she saw beauty - in us too. In tears, he encourages all to be like Colleen - help others - see the good - then, she's not really gone - her spirit lives within us - even as it rises to something more beautiful.
And as the music plays '... go to sleep my little one' we see Sharon, alone and depressed at the cabin, eyeing the urn of ashes. Opening the front door, she looks pleased and relieved to see Nick ... Nikki runs to Victor's side. Still shaking, he meets her franticly worried eyes (until Nikki's hauled off by a nurse - and made to stand against the wall to watch helplessly as they work to save Victor - who's eyes roll back as he continues to convulse violently) ... Neil's brought a red balloon home to Lily (and both he and Cane watch as she releases it at the front door - smiling as it drifts upwards ... Back at the memorial, all gathered touch their balloons as if toasting with champagne glasses - then release them en mass - watching them soar to the heavens.... 'listen close and you will hear, an angel's lullaby'.
My Thoughts: What a nice sketch Daniel whipped up of Colleen (and we know he just doodled it - cause his previous sketches of Colleen were nudes - and not exactly appropriate for Traci's display board). Traci may not have been gushing so much about Daniel (and the light that shines from his ass) had she known Daniel used her precious daughter as a booty call - one he tossed aside once she failed to take his mind off his REAL skankmate, Amber ... Some believe Colleen's legacy is the organs she donated - others, like Billy, feel her legacy is to see the good in others. Kevin believes Colleen's legacy is HIM (and the good life he promises to lead - only breaking the odd law here and there when necessary). But really - the only legacy Colleen left - that will live on FOREVER is the Viewclip video of her flashing her ta ta's at Jimmy's. Now that WILL live on forever ... I will hold her forever in my heart? What ironic words from Victor (cause really, he's saying' he'll be holding Colleen in COLLEEN'S heart) ... Good God - when will Doris Collins be gifted with a new state of the art wheelchair? Given the Newman's obvious wealth, surely someone can pony up the cash to get her one that doesn't run on old woman bicep power ... How is a dog, 'scrubbed head to toe', or not - sanitary enough to be around Lily? Haven't all the guests at Colleen's funeral scrubbed themselves head to toe today too? Isn't there some kind of haz-mat suit and mask she can wear? Or a bubble, or sumthin'? ... And Good Lord, Cane must have the patience of a Saint. If you wanna be alone Lily, why don't YOU get your ass off the couch and go elsewhere? ... Where on earth is Eden? Shouldn't she be there to support Noah? And since Lauren apologized for the horrible way she treated Traci, wouldn't it have been nice for her to have shown up - maybe say a few words to Traci about forgiveness .. Amazing how many now credit Colleen with changing their lives - she's much more appreciated in death than when she was alive (as evident by her inability to get a date - and so resorted to buying a stranger drinks at Jimmy's for some much needed company) .... Yes - we were all told 'no dark colours' Nick acknowledges (as he greets Murphy - both men wearing dark gray suits) ..... Oh come ON - the nurse all but shoves Nikki across the room - then apparently giving her a stern warning to stay put, goes back to the task of saving the Great Victor Newman? Like Nikki shouldn't be making her horrified face on the OTHER side of the door? ... Jill's already so important to CI that she can't take a few hours off to attend the funeral of her former husband's grandchild? And why does Neil need replacing for those mere hours? He was given an extended leave of absence to deal with Lily's cancer (not that he spent much time with her after she moved back in with Cane) ... With mention of old pal Sierra a few months ago, wouldn't it have been nice if she could make the funeral? .... Yes - the red balloon release in Colleen's honour was a touching visual BUT - in many states it's illegal to release more than 10 balloons (and is punishable by variable fines, $250 in Florida, for example - 2,500 if you're in the UK). The obvious reason? What goes up must come down. It's littering - and dangerous to wildlife and marine life (who mistake the balloon fragments for prey and ingest them). In addition, the strings attached to said balloons could cause small animals to become entangled. Remember that the next time someone's spouting off about the latest 'green' line of cosmetics or whatever .... Lily and Colleen were going wig shopping? Who knew? And with all Colleen's useable parts being distributed here and there, why didn't Lily put dibs on Colleen's lush head o' hair - so that it TOO could go on living?
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